ASLRRA to participate in STB's review of UP-NS merger

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has notified the Surface Transportation Board that it intends to participate in the federal board's review of the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway.

Both individually and collectively with the involvement of the ASLRRA, short lines are actively engaged in ascertaining how the proposed transaction may positively or negatively impact smaller railroads and their customers, ASLRRA officials said in an press release.

ASLRRA’s participation will focus on ensuring the transaction, as presented to the STB by UP and NS or as may be conditionally approved, adequately addresses any impact on smaller railroads and their customers, and supports:

• short line carload traffic growth and enhanced Class I/short line interchange efficiencies;
• frequent and reliable railroad service post-transaction; and
• competition across the overall network.

The ASLRRA filing can be reviewed by clicking here.

UP announced in late July that it would acquire NS and combine the two Class Is' networks into the nation's first coast-to-coast, transcontinental railroad. The STB must approve the merger; the application has yet to be filed with the board.